Rare 2010 Penny Errors Worth Money (Full List)

Are 2010 pennies worth anything? If you are considering collecting pennies in the 2010 Lincoln series, these are probably some of the questions you might have. If so, then our 2010 penny errors list will come in handy!

The truth is, 2010 pennies in their circulated states are only worth their face value. The United States Mint produced billions of these coins, making them readily available and affordable to any collector.

If you want 2010 pennies worth money, we strongly recommend collecting errors. While not all errors are worth a premium, some can fetch hundreds and even thousands if you know what to look for.

Our 2010 penny errors list will reveal some of the most valuable coins to look out for if you want to significantly increase the value of your Lincoln penny collection.

So, without further ado, let’s find out 2010 penny errors worth money!

1. 2010-P MS62 Lincoln Shield Cent Broad Struck Error

When collecting Lincoln cents, you might come across a broad struck error, a rare and dramatic error that often fetches a premium.

A broad struck occurs when the die strikes the planchet outside the collar resulting in a deformed coin with an extended diameter and thinned out edge.

Usually, the planchet sits perfectly in the collar, a feature of the pressing hub that holds the planchet and defines its diameter during striking. Sometimes, a portion of the planchet might sit outside the collar, so that when the die strikes, the portion of the planchet struck outside the collar expands beyond its normal diameter. The edge will also be thinner than the rest of the planchet but all the coin’s details will be intact.

As mentioned, broad struck error coins can be worth good money, especially in uncirculated condition. For example, in 2015, Heritage Auctions sold a 2010-P Lincoln shield cent graded MS62 with a broad struck error for a whopping $775.

Also read: 11 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Errors

 

2. 2010-D MS60 Lincoln Cent Strike Through Error

Another error discovered in the 2010 Lincoln cent series is the struck through, also known as strike through. This error occurs when a stray item is struck between the die and planchet. The item can be anything from a piece of wire, strand of hair, layer of grease, dust, and other type of debris.

Stray objects can get stuck on the planchet, resulting in a retained strike through error. But, often, the object falls off the planchet, only leaving its impression.

Retained struck-through errors are more dramatic and will generally fetch more. Of course, the coin’s condition also contributes to the coin’s value. In 2017, the Great Collections auctioned a 2010-D Lincoln cent graded MS60 with a retained strike through error for an impressive $980.

 

3. 2010-P MS65 Improperly Annealed Lincoln Penny Error

Next on the list of high-value 2010 penny errors is the improperly annealed error. This error occurs due to flaws in the planchet-making process.

Annealing involves heating and cooling the planchet to prepare it for striking. Too much heat or cold can affect the planchet, with one consequence being changes in the planchet color. This is known as improper annealing.

Improper annealing can cause the planchet to take on a strange color such as black, purple, yellow or even orange. Obviously, this is drastically different from the red-brownish color that characterizes the Lincoln penny.

 Depending on the coin’s grading, an improperly annealed Lincoln penny can be worth good money. A good example is this 2010-P penny graded MS65 with an improperly annealed error, which Heritage Auctions sold for a whopping $880 at a 2020 sale.

Also read: 17 Most Valuable Indian Head Penny Worth Money

 

4. 2010-P MS60 Lincoln Penny Clashed Die Error

Another interesting error you might encounter when collecting high-value penny errors is the clashed die. As the name suggests, a die clash or clashed die error is one in which the obverse and reverse dies hit against each other in the absence of a planchet between them.

Because they hit against each other with great force/pressure, the dies transfer their respective designs to each other. So, on the obverse, you might notice the primary obverse design and a hint of the reverse design; this might also be the case for the reverse.

A die clash error is unique and can be worth a premium, making it a nice addition to your collection. For example, in 2016, a collector on eBay paid a handsome $420 for a Lincoln penny graded MS60 with an obverse die clash error.

 

5. 2010-P MS65 Lincoln Shield Cent Die Crack Error

A die crack is a relatively common error in the 2010 Lincoln penny series but it can also be valuable to your collection especially the uncirculated examples.

This error occurs when a crack forms on the die’s surface due to normal wear and tear. As the die continues to be put to use, the crack gradually fills with small metal pieces. Eventually, the metal-filled crack leaves its impression on any of the planchets the die strikes.

On the final coin, the die crack appears like a raised vertical or lateral crack anywhere on the coin’s surface. The more peculiar-looking the die crack, the more valuable it tends to be. Larger, more visible die cracks will also generally be worth more.

In 2018, the Great Collections auctioned a 2010-P penny graded MS65 with obverse and reverse die crack errors for a whopping $810; this is definitely an error you should look out for.

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6. 2010-D MS63 Lincoln Shield Die Cap Error

The next error you may encounter when collecting 2010 pennies is the die cap. This error occurs when the planchet sticks to the die and continues to strike incoming planchets.

The more it strikes, the more the edges of the stuck planchet curve around the die, resulting in the planchet taking on the shape of a cap. If you come across a coin with raised rims and a hollow surface, it is likely as a result of a die cap error.

In 2019, a collector on eBay paid $610 for a 2010-D Lincoln penny graded MS63 with a die cap error, making this an error worth adding to your collection.

Also read: 13 Most Valuable Wheat Penny Worth Money

 

7. 2010-D MS62 Lincoln Cent Rim Cud Error

Another error that comes up in this series is the rim cud. This error occurs when a piece breaks off from the die’s surface, leaving a gap that gradually fills with small metal pieces if the die continues to be used.

Eventually, after striking several planchets, the metal-filled gap will create an impression of itself along one of the planchet’s rim. This results in a rim cud error, which appears like a lateral bump along the rim.

When collecting pennies, look out for those with larger rim cuds as these are worth more than smaller cuds. For example, in 2022, the Great Collections auctioned a 2010-D Lincoln cent graded MS62with quite a large rim cud for $980.

 

8. 2010-D MS64 Lincoln Shield Re-Punched Mint Mark Error

The next error on our lineup is the re-punched mint mark. As the name suggests, a re-punched mint mark error is one in which the mint mark as has been punched multiple times at slightly different angles, resulting in a visible overlapping or doubling of the mint mark.

Admittedly, spotting a re-punched mint mark error takes a keen eye especially if the coin is circulated and with a weak strike. Unsurprisingly, the more visible a re-punched mint mark error is, the more valuable it generally tends to be.

You might fetch a premium if you are lucky enough to come across a gem-quality penny with a re-punched mint mark error. For example, in 2015, a collector on eBay paid an impressive $330 for a 2010-D Lincoln shield penny graded MS64 with a re-punched mint mark error.

Also read: 12 Most Valuable Lincoln Penny Worth Money

 

9. 2010-P MS63 Lincoln Shield Penny Doubled Die Error

Another common but valuable error you can add to your collection is the doubled die. This error occurs when the die strikes the planchet multiple times at slightly different angles, resulting in a doubling on the devices or inscriptions.

Like a re-punched mint mark, you will need a keen eye to notice a doubled die error on your Lincoln penny. That said, the more visible the doubling, the more valuable the doubled die error usually is. Even better if the coin is in gem, uncirculated condition as it can fetch an enviable premium.

Take for example, a 2010-P Lincoln penny graded MS63 with a doubled die obverse error that Heritage Auctions sold for a good $415.

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10. 2010-P MS63 Lincoln Penny Missing Clad Error

A missing clad error is one of the most dramatic you might encounter when collecting Lincoln pennies. This is an error in which the upper layer on one or both sides of the coin peels off, exposing the copper core.

The clad layer remains intact on the other side of the coin so you have a coin with one side copper and the other side nickel. The penny’s upper layer may peel off due to impurities that contaminate the alloy during the planchet-making process. The impurities can weaken the bond between the upper nickel layer and copper core, increases the chances of peeling.

Missing clad errors are relatively rare but this is what makes them so valuable and popular in the numismatic circles. Take for example an eBay collector who paid $770 for a 2010-P Lincoln penny graded MS63 with a reverse missing clad error.

 

Summary

The Lincoln penny series is long and there are different ways to collect this coin. One of the most rewarding is collecting errors—as our 2010 penny errors list shows, these coins can be worth hundreds or thousands depending on the error type and coin’s condition. So, yes, collecting 2010 pennies is worth it as long as you know what errors will add value to your collection. Happy collecting!